Death toll rises to 20 after powerful quake hits northern Afghanistan

NN ONLINE:

The death toll from a powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake that struck northern Afghanistan early Monday has risen to at least 20, with around 260 others injured, officials said.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake’s epicenter was located about 22 kilometers west-southwest of Khulm town and struck at 12:59 a.m. local time at a depth of 28 kilometers. Sharafat Zaman, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Health, confirmed the casualties and said most of the injured suffered minor wounds and were released after treatment.

Rescue and relief teams from the Ministry of Defense have reached the affected areas in Balkh and Samangan provinces — the hardest hit — to evacuate the injured and assist affected families.

The tremor was felt across northern Afghanistan, including in Mazar-e-Sharif, where parts of the historic Blue Mosque were slightly damaged, though the centuries-old structure remained intact. The quake also triggered a temporary rockslide that blocked the main highway between Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif, later cleared by authorities.

The United Nations mission in Afghanistan said its teams are on the ground assessing needs and delivering emergency assistance, pledging continued support for affected communities. Afghanistan, prone to frequent seismic activity, struggles to respond effectively to natural disasters due to its poor infrastructure and vulnerable housing.

A 6.0 magnitude quake struck eastern Afghanistan on August 31, killing more than 2,200 people, while a similar quake in October 2023 left at least 4,000 dead, according to the Taliban government.